1674010410 Report Ben Johnson updates teams hes staying with Lions

Report: Ben Johnson updates teams he’s staying with Lions



NFL: DEC 18  Lions at Jets

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Lions offensive coordinator Ben Johnson will coordinate the Lions offensive for at least another year.

Johnson has informed teams who may be interested in his services as head coach for 2023 that he will remain, according to NFL Media.

The Panthers, Colts and Texans had been linked to Johnson.

This is very good news for the Lions as it means coach Dan Campbell doesn’t have to find a replacement for Johnson.

The 36-year-old former North Carolina quarterback began coaching in 2009. He came to Detroit in 2019 as an associate of Matt Patricia. He served as a tight ends coach in 2020 and 2021 before becoming offensive coordinator this year, replacing Anthony Lynn.

Johnson is believed to have chances of becoming head coach in 2024. Of course, that’s what we thought about Buccaneer’s offensive coordinator Byron Leftwich a year ago; he is now in danger of being fired by the Bucs.

Johnson became a hot contender because Detroit’s offensive line did better than expected in 2022 and quarterback Jared Goff played well enough to secure his future with the team. The job of NFL head coach requires very different skills.

Some coordinators can take on the very different job of head coach, while others cannot. There is only one way to find out – the coordinator has to try the job.

And for every Sean Payton, there’s a Nathaniel Hackett. Where Ben Johnson falls on that spectrum will not be determined for at least a year.